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Computing Requirement
Minimum Hardware Guidelines
Minimum Software Guidelines
Laptop Support
Software Support
Infrastructure and Laptop Environment

Information about the SILS Computing Requirement

All entering students to the School of Information and Library Science (SILS) in the MS, CAS and PhD programs in Fall 2001 and afterwards are required to possess or have unlimited access to a laptop computer. This document provides details on the minimal computer configuration and the level of support that SILS offers students.

If you wish to order a laptop through the University of North Carolina (UNC) Carolina Computer Initiative (CCI) please visit http://cci.unc.edu/minimum-specs.html. All SILS students should go through this website, set up to meet the needs of graduate students. All SILS students should also review the official UNC CCI (Carolina Computing Initiative) website to learn about the CFI loan and payment options for your new laptop - http://www.unc.edu/cci/current_students/payment.shtml.

The specific utilization of laptop computers in SILS classes is under each instructor's discretion. Some classes require students to bring their laptop to many class sessions, while others have only minimal requirements for laptop use. The value of owning a mobile computer is not to be strictly understood for classroom participation. The value of a laptop computer is in the flexibility to access and process information from many locations. All students must meet the requirements specified here, regardless of their curricular interests or planned coursework.

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Minimum Hardware Guidelines

The official UNC CCI Web pages lists configurations for two different laptop models. The less expensive configuration is approximately equal to the minimum hardware guidelines for SILS students.
- Processor: Intel P4 2.0Ghz
- Memory: 256 MB preferably 512 MB
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP Professional
                   Windows 9X and XP Home are NOT acceptable
- Hard Disk Drive: 30 GB
- Drives: DVD Read and CD Read/Write Capable
- Graphics: 16 MB Video Memory, 1024 x 768 Resolution or better
- Audio: 16 Bit Audio, Speaker, Microphone
- Communication devices: 10/100 Ethernet, 56 K Modem
- Expansion Ports (at least one):

- Note that some students may elect to install Linux or another non-Windows operating system. This may be suitable for some work, but access to MS Windows-based software is required for INLS 102 and may be required for other classes.

Additional equipment and services that may be useful includes:

- USB Key drive 128 MB or greater
- A wireless network card for access to the campus network (The current standard for wireless cards is the 802.11b. Visit http://www.unc.edu/wireless/ for updates).
- An external full-sized keyboard . SILS recommends access to external ergonomic keyboards for students to decrease the risk of repetitive strain injury.
- An external full-sized monitor for use at home or elsewhere.
- ISP service Broadband or dial-up for Internet access from home or elsewhere.
- External speakers for use at home or elsewhere.
- A printer .
- A carrying case or backpack .
- A spare battery and power supply
- Port replicator

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Minimum Software Guidelines

The following software should be installed and available on your laptop computer:

- Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional or Microsoft XP Professional including(MS Word, Powerpoint, Excel and Access) comes with UNC CCI computer. For non-CCI computers purchased, a $130 license fee is required to obtain Microsoft Office products through UNC
- A Web browser (Netscape, MS Internet Explorer, Opera, or similar)
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Anti-virus software (Norton AV is available from UNC once you have become a student).

SILS provides access to many licensed software titles through network access and loan. Software may be specified by instructors for particular courses and should be installed as directed. Students do not retain the rights to software provided by SILS and should not distribute software under any circumstances.

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Laptop Support

UNC has many options for providing help with your laptops. SILS offers support for hardware and software problems. SILS provides support to address issues of configuration within the SILS networking environment. Each semester we offer a configuration session where students can learn to configure their laptop within the SILS networking environment. Students may visit the Frequently Answered Questions pages in this section to find answers concerning configuration within the SILS environment. The vendor you purchase a laptop from will be your main contact for troubleshooting hardware and software issues not related to configuration problems within UNC and SILS. Students who purchase CCI laptops can seek additional assistance through UNC Computing facilities (ATN) by visiting the helpdesk in the Undergraduate Library, calling 962-HELP, or emailing help@unc.edu .

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Software Support

SILS offers limited assistance for software installation to deal with configuration issues while at SILS. SILS personnel in the computing laboratory also offer support in the use of applications. This support is limited to the applications that are available within computing laboratories at SILS. See the SILS computing laboratory Web pages for more information about supported software.

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SILS Infrastructure and Laptop Environment

The SILS computing environment is diverse and sophisticated offering both wireless and hard-wired Ethernet access. While in Manning Hall (Home of SILS), students can access the network using wireless technology. For more information about wireless technology on UNC campus please visit: http://www.unc.edu/wireless/ The computing laboratory, library and most classrooms offer a limited number of hard-wired Ethernet ports. External monitors, keyboards and network drops are located at various places in the computing laboratory, library and elsewhere. Lockers are available for storing personal belongings.

UNC offers a common authentication infrastructure. All UNC students are given computing userids known as "ONYENs". These usernames are managed by UNC (not SILS) computing support. ONYEN userids are the basis for computing services at UNC. They provide access to online registration, email address that most UNC (and SILS) students use, Web space, and file space for students. You can access the main "ONYEN" page by visiting http://onyen.unc.edu .

SILS offers a separate authentication infrastructure to those entered in one of its programs in order to access shared resources particular to SILS. SILS maintains centralized servers for class and research use. These include database servers, computational servers and application servers creating the "backend" to SILS authentication services. Students enrolled in SILS classes that utilize these servers are assigned a userid (normally the same userid as your ONYEN) or otherwise given access. The SILS computing infrastructure is provided to supplement UNC computing (ATN) resources for the particular needs of our programs. SILS user accounts provide access to these centralized resources allowing students to pursue their research needs and develop their technology skills.

Finally, in addition to resources accessible from your CCI-compatible computer, SILS maintains state-of-the-art micro computing facilities. This includes a computer classroom (available for general use when not scheduled for a class) and an open lab. Items such as scanners, digital video editing systems, digital cameras, and a wide variety of software are available. To coincide with the CCI initiative SILS will offer as many services as possible for the student laptop computers mirroring what is found on SILS laboratory computers. In some cases, this mirroring of services will not be possible for both managed (lab computers) and unmanaged (student laptops) resources. SILS students may also elect to utilize computing laboratories, wireless connections and other resources outside of Manning Hall that ATN provides.

Please feel free to contact the SILS computer lab at with any questions you have.

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